Hello. I was wondering if anyone may give me some assistance with the location of weeds or clumps of growth near to a path edge.
I started a drawing a few weeks ago and am enjoying where it takes me, in other words there are no plans in place... just go with the flow.
I thought that some weeds may look good near to the pathway at the base of drawing. So, after watching Mike's video on weeds, I began with confidence in what I was doing... but only to find out that my weeds actually looked more like a fire! They just didn't look right and I cannot figure out to why?
So, I quickly used a kneadable eraser and put some other weed kinds and grass in its place.
Thanks for reading this and I look forwards to any response that may help.
From Andrew in Bath
Weeds location
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Weeds location
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Mike Sibley
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Re: Weeds location
Well, it's a lovely inventive scene!
The weeds at the base of the stone wall look good. As for the others, I suspect the problem is that you haven't yet looked closely at weeds. The problem with inventing anything on-the-fly is that you only have images stored in your mind to work with. So those images need to be fairly comprehensive.
When the weather improves later this year, take a sketchbook out into the countryside and randomly choose leaves of weeds to draw. You don't need to draw the complete plant, just interesting leaves. At the same time, look to see if they are growing in pairs from the stem (opposite) or are staggered (alternate). Now when you invent weeds to draw, you'll have those leaf shapes and growth patterns to draw on.
I have a couple of problems with this drawing, if I may? THE STONE WALL AT THE LEFT
I'm seeing this as a low wall with a header course, that then continues upwards, but not quite as wide.
If the upper part is meant to be behind the lower part, then you need to show that. That's easier said than done
, but I think I'd make certain the blacks in the lower half were darker, the edges a little sharper, and the stones possibly a little darker too. That would exaggerate the recession a bit, but there is hardly any recession present, so a little exaggeration might help.
And the top half worries a bit because its edge is remarkably straight. To my eye, the end of the lower part is more realistic.
I love those two birds on the wall!
THE GRASS
This is working well at the base, but somewhere around the girl's waist, I seriously doubt you'd see any detail at all. It's not easy to explain, so take a look at my "Spinney Lane End" for grass recession: I'm not claiming it's the answer to everything, but it does contain two or three different ways of drawing grass at various distances, and they all merge into each other as your eye travels back. At the base, there is negative drawing (the dark spaces are drawn to expose the grass - as you've done with the weeds). In the middle it's positively drawn grass (the leaves are drawn, not the spaces), and in the background it's just the bands of shadow you'd expect to see, with no detail at all.
THE AVENUE OF TREES
Is that what this will be? If it is, I fear it's either too small or too low. The trees have the shape and feel of something BIG - not low bushes - yet... The nearest tree is closer to us than the stone building at the left. Let's say the steps up to that building are nine inches high (23cm), so the total height of the steps is 28" (71cm)... the second tree back in the left-hand row, which is directly opposite those steps, is only 60" (1.5M) high. Just to check, I added convergence lines from the VP. If the girl is 5 feet high, so is the tree.
Or maybe I'm completely misreading your intention...
In which case I apologise for making assumptions. Everything else is looking gradely and grand, as they say around here. And you're obviously enjoying yourself, which what really matters.
The weeds at the base of the stone wall look good. As for the others, I suspect the problem is that you haven't yet looked closely at weeds. The problem with inventing anything on-the-fly is that you only have images stored in your mind to work with. So those images need to be fairly comprehensive.
When the weather improves later this year, take a sketchbook out into the countryside and randomly choose leaves of weeds to draw. You don't need to draw the complete plant, just interesting leaves. At the same time, look to see if they are growing in pairs from the stem (opposite) or are staggered (alternate). Now when you invent weeds to draw, you'll have those leaf shapes and growth patterns to draw on.
I have a couple of problems with this drawing, if I may? THE STONE WALL AT THE LEFT
I'm seeing this as a low wall with a header course, that then continues upwards, but not quite as wide.
If the upper part is meant to be behind the lower part, then you need to show that. That's easier said than done
, but I think I'd make certain the blacks in the lower half were darker, the edges a little sharper, and the stones possibly a little darker too. That would exaggerate the recession a bit, but there is hardly any recession present, so a little exaggeration might help.And the top half worries a bit because its edge is remarkably straight. To my eye, the end of the lower part is more realistic.
I love those two birds on the wall!
THE GRASS
This is working well at the base, but somewhere around the girl's waist, I seriously doubt you'd see any detail at all. It's not easy to explain, so take a look at my "Spinney Lane End" for grass recession: I'm not claiming it's the answer to everything, but it does contain two or three different ways of drawing grass at various distances, and they all merge into each other as your eye travels back. At the base, there is negative drawing (the dark spaces are drawn to expose the grass - as you've done with the weeds). In the middle it's positively drawn grass (the leaves are drawn, not the spaces), and in the background it's just the bands of shadow you'd expect to see, with no detail at all.
THE AVENUE OF TREES
Is that what this will be? If it is, I fear it's either too small or too low. The trees have the shape and feel of something BIG - not low bushes - yet... The nearest tree is closer to us than the stone building at the left. Let's say the steps up to that building are nine inches high (23cm), so the total height of the steps is 28" (71cm)... the second tree back in the left-hand row, which is directly opposite those steps, is only 60" (1.5M) high. Just to check, I added convergence lines from the VP. If the girl is 5 feet high, so is the tree.
Or maybe I'm completely misreading your intention...
In which case I apologise for making assumptions. Everything else is looking gradely and grand, as they say around here. And you're obviously enjoying yourself, which what really matters.You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Re: Weeds location
Thank you Mike!
I have read your comments with an element of excitement. To me, whilst drawing, everything seemed to be obvious to what it should be; However, I have now learned a valuable lesson in taking the consideration to what others may view it as. This is a huge development that I intend at some stage to acquire. It makes me more aware of my skill level.
I have studied a second language for over 15 years and what really worked there was the famous word of 'Practice'.
Mike, every word you have written is like a gem stone. I will practice... ''The Force is with me'' (Thanks for that one 'Start Wars'!)
Picking a pencil again was the best thing I have done. I have been slowly perfecting the art of copying - where a lot of the hard work has already been done for you; However, now is the beginning of something so very much bigger and that is to learn the art of drawing. So pleased to be learning from you Mike. With my thanks, Andrew
I have read your comments with an element of excitement. To me, whilst drawing, everything seemed to be obvious to what it should be; However, I have now learned a valuable lesson in taking the consideration to what others may view it as. This is a huge development that I intend at some stage to acquire. It makes me more aware of my skill level.
I have studied a second language for over 15 years and what really worked there was the famous word of 'Practice'.
Mike, every word you have written is like a gem stone. I will practice... ''The Force is with me'' (Thanks for that one 'Start Wars'!)
Picking a pencil again was the best thing I have done. I have been slowly perfecting the art of copying - where a lot of the hard work has already been done for you; However, now is the beginning of something so very much bigger and that is to learn the art of drawing. So pleased to be learning from you Mike. With my thanks, Andrew
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Mike Sibley
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Re: Weeds location
If I may, I'll swap the order of these two quotes...
And that's where problems can arise. Because you are now explaining YOUR world to people who cannot see inside your mind. You'll find a degree of exaggeration often works well, because it removes a lot of conjecture and guesswork.
So, in this case... IF the upper half of that left-hand wall is behind the lower half, then you need to find a different way to draw it. Maybe it could be lighter? Personally, I'd be quite tempted to let some tall weeds or a bush grow behind the lower wall. And, because that will appear in FRONT of the upper wall, we now have three layers of recession. And IT'S OBVIOUS the two walls are separate.
First, copying is what we all do. It's the best way to start because it gives you a fixed target as you learn the mind-to-hand co-ordination required. And learn the basic techniques. But as those skills grow, you'll find yourself wanting to move away from repeating the photographer's vision (if you've been drawing from photos) and feeling the need to express your own thoughts.Andyart67 wrote: Sat Jan 03, 2026 4:57 pm I have been slowly perfecting the art of copying - where a lot of the hard work has already been done for you. However, now is the beginning of something so very much bigger, and that is to learn the art of drawing.
So, eventually, you'll be wanting to say something with your drawing. Telling a story. Even if that story is only "Look at how wonderful this is" or "ugly" if that's your intention.I have now learned a valuable lesson in taking the consideration to what others may view it as.
And that's where problems can arise. Because you are now explaining YOUR world to people who cannot see inside your mind. You'll find a degree of exaggeration often works well, because it removes a lot of conjecture and guesswork.
So, in this case... IF the upper half of that left-hand wall is behind the lower half, then you need to find a different way to draw it. Maybe it could be lighter? Personally, I'd be quite tempted to let some tall weeds or a bush grow behind the lower wall. And, because that will appear in FRONT of the upper wall, we now have three layers of recession. And IT'S OBVIOUS the two walls are separate.